Board Prep Resources for Ophthalmology Residents

The American Board of Ophthalmology Website

Did you know that not all of the BCSC series is included in the Written Qualifying Exam? Did you know that ABO publishes the proportion of questions that relate to a subject area? Did you know that there is an online tutorial to help you get used to the software used to administer the test? The answers to these questions and helpful resources are available on the ABO’s website. We recommend carefully reviewing the information on the website.

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown and Henry L. Roediger III

From the publishers: “Many common study habits and practice routines turn out to be counterproductive. Underlining and highlighting, rereading, cramming, and single-minded repetition of new skills create the illusion of mastery, but gains fade quickly. More complex and durable learning come from self-testing, introducing certain difficulties in practice, waiting to re-study new material until a little forgetting has set in, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another. Speaking most urgently to students, teachers, trainers, and athletes, Make It Stick will appeal to all those interested in the challenge of lifelong learning and self-improvement.

• Year Published: 2014
• 336 pages
• List Price: $29.00

There are numerous books that are helpful for preparation for the examination and this list is by no means exhaustive. This section highlights those that are designed for a comprehensive review of ophthalmology.

Preferred Practice Patterns from American Academy of Ophthalmology

These include best practice recommendations for key clinical settings. These may be particularly helpful in mastering the best practice management answers for case-based questions.  

https://www.aao.org/about-preferred-practice-patterns
Cost: Free

Review of Ophthalmology 3rd Edition by Neil J Friedman, Peter K Kaiser, and Bill Tratter

This popular review book covers key topics in “concise, bulleted format” with numerous images and accompanying questions.  

• Year Published: 2017
• 432 Pages
• List Price: $84.99

These books present clinical vignettes analogous to those that are presented on the oral board examinations. They are designed to be practiced in interactive fashion.

Ophthalmology Clinical Vignettes Oral Board Study Guide II– 2015 by John D. Pemberton, Anthony Daniels, Aaron Fay

Organized by 6 subject areas covered in the oral board examinations, this book offers 113 clinical vignettes with color photographs and responses.  

• 280 pages
• List Price:$199.99

Case Reviews in Ophthalmology 2nd Edition by Neil J. Friedman MD, Peter K. Kaiser MD 

This book offers 140 clinical cases, also organized in the 6 subject areas in the oral board examination. The cases include clinical photographs, diagnostic tests, questions, and answers.  

• Year Published: 2017
• 352 pages
• List Price: $74.99

Ophthalmology Oral Board Review First Edition by Dr. Damien M Luviano

This book includes 65 cases with a historical vignette, photographs, and is designed for practice role-playing with two study partners.  

• Year Published: 2018
• 232 pages
• List Price: $99.99

BCSC Self-Assessment Program

Developed by the AAO, this question bank provides 1550+ questions with answers that are directly tied to BCSC content. Offers timed tests, links to the BCSC section, and statistics on the questions answered correctly by others.  

Member price for annual subscription: $275.00

OphthoQuestions

This popular question bank offers 4000+ multiple choice questions and comparative metrics.  

Pricing: $229.99 for 6 months and $279.99 for 12 months with $186.99 “add on” for premium questions

Review Questions in Ophthalmology Third Edition by Kenneth C. Chern and Michael A. Saidel 

This book with 1000+ multiple choice questions with images has an online version that is available with the purchase of the book.  

• 1,000+ Questions
• Year published: 2015
• 560 pages
• List Price: $134.99

The in-person courses fall into 3 categories: Mock oral examinations with coaching, concentrated review lectures, and both. The courses with oral examinations are frequently scheduled to occur immediately before the oral examinations. They are costly, but some have affirmed their value in reducing anxiety for the examinations by providing simulated practice examinations.

The Osler Institute Ophthalmology Review Courses

These courses, ranging from $720 to $1,058, offer mock oral course ± 5 days of review lectures near the time of the scheduled oral board examinations. 
https://www.osler.org/ophthalmology/

San Antonio Ophthalmology Course

This annual course offers a 5 day review course with a mock oral session following the course for an additional fee. The course is for $390 for civilians.  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-san-antonio-ophthalmology-course-registration-47194049673

The University of Colorado Mock Oral Boards

This course offers a half day, six 30 minute sessions that simulates the experience of the oral board examination, with an opportunity to review their performance at the end of the examination. This is offered for $500.  http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/Ophthalmology/education/Pages/Mock-Oral-Board.aspx